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KINGS BEACH, Calif. — In running, it’s often called a “high.” Basketball players may know it as “the zone.”

There’s a state of such complete involvement in an activity that a beautiful meditative focus comes to play. In the rapidly growing modern circus arts movement, this revered state is called Flow. Specifically, “flow artists” are those who do mind-blowing work with hula hoops, poi, staffs, fans and other juggling-style props.

On Sept. 3-5, the third annual Lake Tahoe Flow Arts Festival (LTFAF) will unite a dream team of these “flow artists” — jugglers, hula hoopers and prop spinners, not to mention aerial artists, yogis and paddle boarders — from all around the globe. The festival features two days of workshops from international talent, and three nights of events, including a public Gala Cirque and Fire Show at North Tahoe Events Center on Thursday, Sept. 5 free for the community.

With its gorgeous waterfront location and early-September timing, It’s no wonder LTFAF has become a Mecca for the world’s leading flow artists as they exit the annual Burning Man Festival.

“This began three years ago as a way to set up local workshops for international artists who had traveled to the States to attend Burning Man, and also to treat our community to a world class show they wouldn’t normally get to see,” says LTFAF organizer and Jai Yen shop owner Christy Lee Smith. “The first year, I thought it was a one-off, but it was such a hit — among the instructors, the students, and the community — that it has become a much-loved annual event.”

Workshops on super-fun art forms such as hula hooping, poi, staff spinning, aerial arts and yoga will be offered at the Lake Tahoe Events Center on Wednesday, Sept. 4 and Thursday, Sept. 5, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Between classes, participants can also enjoy the water with paddleboarding or swimming. Spin jams and fire shows will also take place nightly.

The Gala Cirque & Fire Show is the culmination of the festival, and that big show will take place on at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5 at the North Lake Tahoe Events Center, featuring the artists mentioned above doing a jaw-dropping sunset spectacular, with fire and glow props, as well as aerial arts.

“I’ve performed and taught all over the world, and I can honestly say Lake Tahoe Flow Festival has become one of my favorite gatherings,” said international hula hoop artist Revolva, who will teach at this year’s fest and co-emcee the Gala Show. “The workshops available from so many international instructors are a unique opportunity. There are also attendees — not even the teachers, but just the students — from so many different countries, because they all come here after Burning Man. It’s just a great chance to meet interesting people, learn, share, play and be totally inspired.”